the only other screwdriver I've tried was a very small straight jewelers screwdriver. But you better make sure that it fits all the way in and does not slip since this could ruin your screws. You might want to wait and order the right set from here

I read somewhere that Apple uses Loctite on their pentalobe screws. I researched what would melt Loctite and the answer was HEAT. So I carefully heated the pentalobe screws with the nozzle of a glue gun (without the glue, of course), and after a couple of minutes, we could screw the screws right out. This answer is for unscrewing pentalobe screws in general. For the guy with the screw with the stripped head, heat the screw and then use a pentalobe screwdriver (TS4 1.2mm or 1.4 mm) or a #00 or #000 phillips screwdriver to remove it. Hope this helps.

I have an iPhone 4, and I lost my pentalobe driver. It took 20 minutes, a pocketknife, a #000 Philips driver, and a set of tweezers to remove a stripped screw. I ended up using the pocket knife to carve a "+" shape into the head of the screw X) That got the screw out enough for me to use the tweezers to painstakingly remove it from the phone. Luckily the second screw was not stripped, so I was able to unscrew it with the #000 driver. It took a little force, but it worked. Ended up using an iFixit Liberation kit after that adventure :)

Unless you purchase a pentalobe screwdriver like mayer recommended, you run a high risk of stripping the screws. The pentalobe screws are already prone to stripping, even with the correct screwdriver. It's recommended you purchase replacement philips screws to put back in once you've removed the pentalobe screws from your phone. You can find both the replacement screws and screwdriver in iFixit's iPhone 4 Liberation Kit.

This is a marvel of an idea, the sharpner blade to open a very minute worn out 'plus' screw! Just hold the blade with a thin handcurchif to avoid blister on fingers, put the screw assembly on a thin sheet of fabric, apply pressure with the blade but rotate NOT the blade but the fabric...screw just comes out! Hurray! Good luck!

A flat blade screw driver that fits between any two of the 5 "lobes" may work or between one out-pointing lobe and an opposite in-pointing lobe... unless they're in there too tight. The right tool (pentalobe screwdriver) is really the right choice. It puts the force basically equally on the right places of the 5 edges.

I tried a tri-lobe (security bit area) from Menards for the tri-lobe screw for the trackpad and it was too pointed to fit. A flatter tri-lobe is needed. I might have to spend the $$ and get the right sized tools as I plan on having to do some repairs. Then again, the tri-lobe from menards was only $2 so I might just try grinding down the tip with my Dremel.

For the trackpad screw, a small flat blade did work from one outer lobe to the left or right of the opposite inner lobe (depending if loosening or tightening), but it wouldn't work on the smaller tri-lobed screws on the keyboard side of the trackpad as they were just too small for the blade.

used a razor blade off a back cutter. shaved just the tip. i just scrapped it slightly on the concrete. you will need a magnify glass if you have. it will help to see the screw i turned a few times. then just grabbed the head of the screw with my nails and turned it. screws are not in very tight at all. it worked easy.. 5mins. goodluck

Some absolutely sucked for me but one worked great but I used a different take on it.

I took a glasses repair kit screwdriver that typically comes with new glasses or glasses wipes/spray. I had been ordering so many glasses online I had a pretty hefty stock of these tiny (though not tiny enough) drivers.

I used a typical grinder bar and swiped the little flat-headed screwdriver on it for like 30-40 strokes until it was half the size tip it started with and it works flawlessly.

I took a box cutter blade. then scratched the tip fairly vigorously on my kitchen floor (I'm sure that this would be easier on cement or whatever).Till I guessed that it was around the right width do do the job easily. It was almost like it was designed to do the job. Worked first time

I, too, used an eyeglass repair kit's flat screwdriver. Literally, two strokes against a sharpening stone at a 45 degree angle (so it makes the head narrower, not thinner). I had my iPhone open in about 2 minutes, start to finish.

Important note by Brian that should be followed is while using a sharpening stone hold the driver at the appropriate angle as to avoid thinning the tip too much. Too thin an end will cause it to break off into the screw and then you must start over.